All passengers through pre-check WTMDs. No shoes or laptop nonsense either. Amazing how fast it went.

450p

3

T3

2016-05-15

4a

Other

2016-04-28

400p

Other

2016-04-28

400p

Other

1

2016-04-28

400p

Other

1

2016-04-28

400p

Other

1

2016-04-28

400p

Other

1

2016-04-28

400p

UA

Terminal 1

2016-03-21

Terminal 1 has one precheck line that is very long, snaked all the way past the airline check-in counters, but moves in moderate pace. Took me 15 minutes to get through security.

640a

15

UA

Terminal 1

2014-12-12

A few people were directed through the WTMD when there was a line for the AIT.

220p

UA

1

2014-07-23

1p

DL

T2

2014-02-22

MMW in use for all pax except Precheck.

1130a

10

UA

Terminal 1

2014-01-04

Standard lanes backed up to the ticket counters. Seems international incoming passengers transferring to domestic sent TSA into meltdown. Kettles with short connection times were freaking and the Pre lanes were free and clear.

900a

90

AA

3

2013-11-22

At one checkpoint, one of the scanners was roped off and fortunately, everyone was sent through the WTMD. This was on the farthest to the right, away from the elite entrance. Fortunately, the metal detector only lane at checkpoint was also open.

820a

UA

T1, Security 2, right side

2013-10-22

Far left lane has MMW roped off; I was able to choose that lane and go through WTMD.

1000a

UA

2013-10-07

While switching planes I had to walk part several checkpoints to get to my gate. MMWs were being used for 97% of passengers. Saw a few go through WTMD by United Counters (far left lane only) and at the smaller checkpoint near concourses E/F.

4a

AA

2013-10-00

p

UA

2013-10-00

p

AA

Terminal 3

2013-09-13

Unfortunately, the lane at checkpoint 9 (the checkpoint closest to Spirit airlines) with only WTMD was closed. I went down to checkpoint 8 and found a lane that was only using WTMD. This lane was closed while I was in line, so I went to checkpoint 7, which fortunately had a lane that was only using WTMD. This lane was closest to the priority lane, but it looked like others could also use the lane. I was able to get through it, but was nervous because I was not sure how long for which it would remain open.

1020a

All

T3, CP 9, furthest left

2013-08-05

CP 9 is the only SDOO at ORD. Access to all terminals, but it's at the far end of T3 so it's a bit of a walk from T1 and T2. As stated, stay to the right after the ID check for WTMD. Several other CPs in CP3 weren't using their scanners and defaulted to WTMDs, probably due to long lines.

110p

15

UA

T1

2013-07-28

The waiting time was brutal, people with short connection times were freaking out. When I got closer I saw which lanes were going through the metal detector and which were going through the scanners. the metal detector line seemed slower but hey!

1150a

40

US

T2

2013-07-13

WTMD for precheck on left side. Grope was quick without testicle chops.

500p

10

UA

2

2013-07-04

The left side WTMD was blocked for PreCheck only. there is no access to the WTMD anymore. Everyone got scanned.

1200p

10

UA

1

2013-06-08

Unfortunately, everyone except those sent through pre-check was sent through body scanners. There was only one regular lane in the terminal, and the elite lane fed to the regular lane. I tried to use the metal detector lane in terminal 1 first, but it was not open--this early in the morning, many of the security lanes were unfortunately closed. There was a really long line.

430a

AA

Checkpoint closest to Spirit Airlines

2013-05-31

At this checkpoint (which may be more of a Spirit/Virgin America checkpoint, but all gates in terminals 1, 2, and 3 are reachable through this checkpoint), people turn right will encounter a WTMD, while people who turn left will encounter a body scanner.

700a

AA

7/8 T3

2013-05-12

MMW for all passengers except Pre-Check. A few lucky ones go through WTMD when scanners need calibrating. Lines move slowly.

530p

20

UA

Checkpoint 3/T1

2013-04-24

1200p

Int'l

5

2013-04-10

odd Int'l 5 2013-04-10 WTMD in place at first and last station. Backscatter in middle. Requested metal detector and went through that line.

Int'l

International

2013-04-05

Only one MMW machine opened. NO WTMD. Opt Out, Got a pat down.

830a

0

UA

2/T1

2013-03-27

WTMD in use / MMW roped off

1140a

5

DL

T2

2013-03-18

MMW now in use for all lanes except Pre-Check. However, sometimes you'll get lucky and one of the Pre-Check lanes is being used for regular passengers. Rule of thumb for ORD T2 remains the same - always stay as far left as you can.

1230p

AA

Terminal 3, Checkpoint closest to Spirit Airlines counter

2013-03-15

After one's ID was checked, one could either turn left for a body scanner or right for a WTMD.

520a

Int'l

T3/Checkpoint 7

2013-03-10

One MMW was roped off until we got to the front of the line.

UA

Terminal 1 Far left checkpoint closest to Terminal 2

2013-02-13

All lanes funneled to one checkpoint which had everyone go through the MMW Scanner. I informed the agent that I would be opting out and he had me wait until another agent came and escorted me around the scanner to the other side. He then had me empty my pockets and remove my belt while going through the speil of how he was going to conduct the pat down. He was very professional and was done in about 2-3 min.

500p

10

UA

T2

2013-02-10

wtmd roped off - 2MMW in use.

700a

0

UA

1

2013-01-23

MMW in use for both lanes

UA

1

2013-01-23

MMW in use for both lanes

AA

T3 checkpoint 7

2012-12-12

WTMD on right was being used. backscatter on left. very easy to select wtmd line.

10

UA

1

2012-12-05

Everyone was being sent through MMW.

530p

UA

1?

2012-11-28

Was connecting through the B concourse and saw the checkpoint right in front of the escalators that lead underground to the C concourse. All backscatter machines were turned off and roped off. Several MMW machines were installed where all passengers went through. It seems the backscatter machines are about to be shipped out to storage and the transition to MMW is nearly complete.

350p

All

1 and 2

2012-11-21

100% MMW except for "family" line and PreCheck

1130a

Int'l

T2

2012-11-14

MMW ATR in use for all pax. Leftmost lane for priority does not have MMW, but was roped off.

1230p

20

DL

2

2012-11-09

This is the first time I've gone through terminal 2 and not have the WTMD open. The line wasnt long and it wasnt as busy, so they were just funneling every one through the MMW. I opted out and was patted down by a TSA agent. The agent was very professional and was detailed in his explanations.

530p

DL

2

2012-10-26

MMW have now been deployed to all lanes except Prchec

610a

2

UA

T1

2012-10-19

Opt for center line and avoid radiation machine

910a

15

DL

Terminal 2

2012-10-11

Terminal 2 was a piece of cake. Simple stay to the left and you can avoid the MMW machines - quick and easy WTMD

410p

UA

terminal 1

2012-10-08

There is a MMW on the very left side that was in use (on the side of first class line). There are many backscatter machines in between and one more MMW on the very right side. There are also metal detectors (WTMD) in every lane as well. The checkpoint was very busy with long lines and only the WTMDs were being used and the backscatter machines were blocked off. Amazing, all the planes screened with passengers using the metal detectors were safe last night!! I guess the NOS aren't neccesary. The MMW on the very left side was being used and people williningly chose that line even though they could have chosen another lane!! The MMW line was moving very slowly. Maybe the passengers feel safer using them but don't they already know if they are safe or not?!! It was retarded, most people at the checkpoint were using the WTMD (metal detectors). I don't understand the logic for the "anything for safety" crowd. I saw a few business guys in suits that clearly flew a lot and they all chose the WTMD line on the left side instead of the MMW on the very left of the elite line. One lady kept beeping the WTMD and they let her try to walk through a few times before they called for a "female assist, alarm" and she was herded off to the side. Security theatre? Do they turn off the body scanners when it gets crazy busy? I guess bad guys don't use the checkpoint when it's busy? Not one person opted out of the MMW on the lft side. It probably would have made that line even slower!!!

600p

UA

1

2012-09-17

In left set of checkpoints, BKSX used for all in left-most lane; WTMD only in the other two lanes. In the right set of checkpoints, BKSX used in right lane; WTMD only in the left lane.

300p

15

AA

T3/CP7A

2012-09-09

CP7A has one WTMD (left) and two MMWD. Serf land was mostly MMWD with limited options to choose the left lane. Priority lane was the opposite; generally WTMD with limited risk of being put in the MMWD lanes (dawdling can help here). All the other T3 checkpoints appeared to be 100% MMWD.

1030a

DL

2

2012-08-27

As usual, easy sdoo at T2. Chkpts in T1 looked to have some sdoo opportunities as well.

Same old same old here. Stay left for no scanning, they won't direct you otherwise. No premium line, short other lines, works for all domestic flights.

220p

4

UA

T1

2012-07-22

Got PreCheck - very civilized. No line, WTMD only, left everything in my bags. Sad to think this was the norm for everyone 10 years ago

1130a

UA

Terminal 1 Checkpt 2

2012-07-21

BKSX machines were mostly not in use. If you pay attention, you can find a line where the NoS is not in use. Security 3 looked like it was exclusively BKSX, though.

300p

5

B6

Terminal 3 chkpt by TSA baggage dropoff

2012-07-11

There is a BKSX on the left and a WTMD on the right and two lanes for travelers. You will be randomly selected for one or the other, but I was able to dawdle with my bags until I saw that the BKSX was full and get to use the WTMD.

510a

UA

Terminal 1 Premier Access

2012-07-01

Attempted PreCheck, denied along with 98% of other travelers. Lane led to BSKX only, so we moved farther down to a WTMD only lane.

1200p

25

AA

PriorityAAccess checkpoint between L and K,

2012-06-21

Most PriorityAAccess went through WTMD on left. Randomly pulled small number of people to backscatter on right. Stay Left!

300p

10

UA

T2

2012-06-13

After ID check keep left. Only line on right has BKSX.

350p

10

UA

2

2012-06-01

No scanners; okay to use this checkpoint as a United passenger (all Terminal 1 checkpoints have backscatter)

110p

5

UA

Terminal 2

2012-05-29

Two out of three lines had just WTMD, other line had BSKX. Agent was disagreeable about me standing where I could see my stuff.

450a

15

US

2

2012-05-28

Furthest left lines are wtmd; on the right is a mmw machine that appeared to be operational randomly for about half of travelers. Only two lanes open.

700p

10

UA

2

2012-05-26

Although the only open lane was BX, there was a very ald and disabled gentleman slowly preparing to go through it. As a result, the rest of us were sent through WTMD while they dealth with him. I use this checkpoint even when I am not flying United and it is never a problem.

The two lanes at the far left were WTMD only. The one at the very left appeared to be for elite fliers at first, but after the travel document checker, they allowed everyone to move into that lane. It should be noted that I overheard the TSA person working the lane talking about how he had 3 minutes left for his shift. I asked him what would happen after that and he told me that he did not think that the next shift of workers would still be at the lane and that it was likely that the lane would be closed. I did not get to see what happened after then regarding whether the lane was left open, as well as the other metal detector lane.

230p

UA

1

2012-05-06

Left lanes were slower but had only a metal detector in use. Other lines had WTMD and body scanners. I picked the slow lane!

1100a

25

UA

Terminal 1

2012-04-24

While I waited, the TSO's randomly blocked the WTMDs or the NoSs. I got lucky and they were using the WTMDs when I went through, but five minutes earlier it was all NoS, and when I looked back after reassembling my stuff it was all NoS again.

400p

15

UA

1

2012-03-26

Unfortunately, everyone at this checkpoint was sent through the body scanner. TSA employees were standing in front of the metal detectors, blocking them. Fortunately, I have read that one can access this terminal by going through terminal 2 which has lanes without body scanners on the far left.

430p

Terminal 2

2012-03-23

Five lanes at this CP. Three to the left are WTMD only. Two to the right are WTMD/BSKX pair. TSA may "force" you to head into the right pair. Keep left to have a better chance of WTMD

600a

20

AA

3 (first class/TSA PreCheck)

2012-03-20

New TSA PreCheck opened today. Tons of execs in suit standing around watching.

a

3

UA

T2

2012-03-15

Left-most WTMD only lane at T2 is now for priority passengers only. Managed to talk my way into it, but...

1120a

AA

T3 First Class Checkpoint (between Gate K1 and Concourse L)

2012-02-26

Mandatory backscatter for everyone but children 12 and under. Chat-downs at the ID checker. Everyone was very respectful.

1030a

0

US

2

2012-02-23

The far left lane at Terminal 2 was open. All of the terminals are connected beyond security (except the international terminal), so for most domestic flights, one can use this checkpoint.

940a

UA

T3

2012-02-16

Left side of the checkpoint is free of porn machines

550p

5

UA

1

2012-02-15

One lane out of service; otherwise WTMD if NoS in use

540a

6

AA

Terminal 3

2012-02-15

As far as we could see all the machines were blocked.

410p

AA

T3

2012-02-12

4 checkpoints at T3. The one left of 1st class check in was scanners, the one to the right of that was long wait Sunday pm, scanners and WTMD and then right of that was a checkpoint where the priority access lane fed to WTMD. Could not tell other lines. Another checkpoint near T2 was busy and I could not tell how lines were working

1p

UA

T2

2012-02-07

All WTMD checkpoints closed except the far right which has BXSC. Right at the 6 pm shift change, suddenly they start sending everyone though the WTMD only, closely observed by a tense bald white dude in a suit. When I got out, I could see workers checking in and sauntering slowly over to the observation booth. Brought to you by the brain trusts, indeed.

600p

DL

E

2012-01-30

Stay as far left as you can. There is a backscatter on the far right, standard metal detector on its left, and also on the far left. In my required lane the tsa were selecting ppl for backscatter.

900a

8

UA

T2

2012-01-13

T2 terminal has one central security checkpoint, which is divided into a left and right sections. On the left only WTMD were being used. On the right is an X-ray backscatter machine. After you pass through security, you can access Terminals 1 and 3

400p

Int'l

T5

2012-01-11

All lanes had BKSX but one not in use

1000a

10

AS

T3

2012-01-03

There were two lanes open, and everyone was being funneled to the radiation machines. They pulled people out at random to go through the WTMD, though (I watched one lady go to the WTMD, and TSA made her go to the line for the BKSX, then just before she got there he pulled her back out of line and sent her to the WTMD - go figure!), and fortunately both of us travelling together were selected to go through there.

Went to T2 and tried to stay left, but it was so empty, I was singled out and herded right into the backscatter lane. I tried to stay left and they swooped in asking if there was a problem. Then I was lied to by the agent telling me it wasn't backscatter, when it clearly is. All backscatters in use in T1, so still worth trying T2. At least there's a chance you can get into regular xray.

Arrived from Int'l T5, took train to T2 (even though my flight was from T1, SO worth it. Get off the train, down the escalator, go STRAIGHT AHEAD (that's the 'left side' everyone else refers to), and there are no machines there. The 'right side' is divided by a wall. Well worth the extra five minutes is takes to walk from T2 to T1, especially since all the T1 lanes were using the backscatter when I walked by.

AA

T3

2011-11-22

At Domestic Checkin

CO

T2

2011-11-16

Nude-o-scope was in operation... was able to avoid it by staying in the left lane

DL

T2

2011-11-11

Right side was active.

CO

2

2011-10-12

Got the royal treatment this time... smurfs were having a ball with their porn machine

UA

T1

2011-09-28

Porn machines are on for everyone and it was hard to avoid.

UA

T2

2011-09-28

Porn machines in use... was able to dodge the bullet

UA

T2

2011-09-28

Only one porn machine in use on the right. Move to the left and we were fine.

DL

2

2011-09-26

One can avoid body scanners by staying to the far left lane of Terminal 2. Note that all terminals at ORD are connected, so one can do this to avoid body scanners when flying on any airline out of ORD.

AA

T3, center

2011-09-18

Smurfs nuking passengers, line moved slowly. Opened three of four metal detectors, cleared out

UA

Terminal 1

2011-09-10

This was a Saturday, only the first three checkpoints (left to right, as you enter the area) were open. All Backscatter machines in use, was used as primary. Radiation for all!

AA

9

2011-09-09

Everybody being put through the scanner. 9/11! 9/11! 9/11! 9/11! Too bad we can now tell Osama has won.